Thunderbolts’ Final Twist Turns Yelena into a True Avenger Years Later

by

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Thunderbolts*.

In the climactic turn of “Thunderbolts,” a Marvel story from four years ago featuring Yelena and The Avengers is significantly enhanced. The main narrative of Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” centered around several franchise characters grappling with similar hardships. Many of the movie’s antiheroes were troubled, either by feelings of loneliness, a lack of purpose, or haunted by their past traumas. By the end of “Thunderbolts,” however, these characters had formed a tight-knit support network.

This movie deviated significantly from typical team-up narratives we might expect in future Marvel movies such as “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”. While the Thunderbolts cast will feature in these upcoming films, their beginnings will remain distinct because this film primarily explores the mental wellbeing of each character. In the case of Yelena, her storyline revolves around her search for a sense of family and purpose, which becomes clear by the end of the movie, making a quote from her even more poignant four years later.

Yelena Disregarded The Idea Of Avengers In 2021’s Hawkeye

Linked To Her Brief Vendetta Against Clint Barton

Four years prior, a scene from the MCU was featured in the 2021 series “Hawkeye”. In the latter stages of the show, Yelena assumed prominence following Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s revelation that Clint Barton supposedly killed her sister, the Black Widow. To reach Clint, Yelena cautiously forged a friendship with Kate Bishop. She assured Kate that she would remain safe as long as she kept her distance from Yelena.

In Kate Bishop’s living room, the young Hawkeye protege supports Clint, asserting that he remains an Avenger. Yelena counters, “What significance does that term hold? It grants such authority. You call him a hero regardless of his actions.”

Previously, Yelena had little regard for titles or the deeds of heroes, particularly when it comes to someone like Clint who has had a questionable past. Despite the fact that Hawkeye was not at fault for Natasha’s demise and was misled himself, her statement echoes intriguingly with the concept of Thunderbolts.

After Thunderbolts*’ Final Twist, Yelena Now Understands What It Means To Be An Avenger

Yelena’s Recent Journey Proved Her Old Self Wrong

Regarding the Thunderbolts, the movie explores Yelena’s realization that she was mistaken in her assessment of Hawkeye from the past. The film primarily revolves around Yelena’s desire to discover a role and a team to back her up. This goal is fulfilled by the Thunderbolts, later renamed The New Avengers in the Thunderbolts post-credit scene. Through this journey, Yelena learns what it truly means to be an Avenger, thereby contradicting her earlier comments about Hawkeye.

In contrast to Clint Barton, Yelena’s past involves actions she deeply regrets. While much of this can be attributed to her time under the manipulation and control of the Red Room, she carries the weight of her misdeeds with her. This burden has led to feelings of self-loathing, loneliness, and sadness in the story Thunderbolts. Despite her past transgressions, Yelena came to understand that everyone deserves a second chance and joined the New Avengers, demonstrating that one’s history is irrelevant as long as they stand for what is just.

Kate Bishop & Yelena Have Both Become Avengers Since Hawkeye

The Scene Works On Two Fronts

In the Hawkeye series, Yelena’s transformation from doubting Avenger to a full-fledged member works effectively. This scene holds double significance. On one hand, we have Kate Bishop, who has never wavered in her desire to be a hero and steps up to defend Clint.

On the other hand, it’s not just Yelena who becomes an Avenger; Kate is confirmed as one of the three Young Avengers in The Marvels. Both characters are shaping up to be significant figures in the MCU for distinct reasons. The upcoming Thunderbolts team could serve as a bridge for Yelena, helping her fully embrace her role as an Avenger.

*Note: Thunderbolts is a fictional superhero team that appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Read More

2025-05-19 19:09